Euro-V fuel to help reduce pollution in Pakistan

[Abdullah719]

Prime Minister Imran Khan is keen on addressing the challenges related to climate change and the introduction of Euro-V standard fuel in a short span of time shows the government’s commitment to reduce air pollution for a clean environment, said Petroleum Minister Omar Ayub Khan.

At an event organised by Pakistan State Oil (PSO) to mark the upgrading of Pakistan’s fuel standard to Euro-V, the minister termed it the need of the hour to adopt upgraded fuel standards that would reduce the negative impact on environment and help the country move towards a sustainable future.

“Improvement in fuel quality will ultimately benefit the consumer and help create a cleaner environment with reduced pollution,” he said.

Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Petroleum Nadeem Babar, who was also present at the ceremony, stressed that Pakistan was heading in the right direction after having taken key steps to overcome the challenges posed by climate change.

“Upgrading fuel standards is a major step towards a cleaner and greener Pakistan,” he said. “We owe it to our future generations to bequeath to them a planet worth living in.”

Expressing his views, PSO CEO and Managing Director Syed Muhammad Taha said the new product range brought Pakistan’s fuel on a par with international standard fuels.

He added that the Euro-V standard fuels significantly reduced emissions and contributed to a healthy environment for future generations.

Euro-V standard fuels minimise the negative impact on environment owing to reduction in sulphur and benzene content by a staggering 98% and 80% respectively. This, in turn, reduces harmful vehicle emissions, resulting in health benefits and improvement in engine performance.

The reduction in benzene content will significantly improve the occupational health of industry workers, who are involved in product handling.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2260143/euro-v-fuel-to-help-reduce-pollution-in-pakistan

 

[MenInG]

This would make a huge dent in pollution in Pakistan but seems there is a cost involved?

 

[MenInG]

ISLAMABAD: The Petroleum Division of Ministry of Energy (MEPD) and Islamabad Policy Institute (IPI) on Thursday challenged each other over the rationale to upgrading petrol and diesel to Euro-V standards in the country and over the relevant specifications and processes for such improvements.

The debate started after the Islamabad Policy Institute (IPI) highlighted faults with the government decision to upgrade fuel to Euro-V standards and calling for a public debate before its formal implementation.

This was followed by a statement issued by the MEPD contesting the IPI’s findings as wrong presumptions. In response, the IPI followed up with yet another statement, claiming the MEPD explanations proved that authorities were actually unaware of what Euro-V meant and hence the case for putting on hold the new fuel introduction in the market.

The MEPD said the IPI wrongly presumed that the recent government decision for introduction of Euro-V petrol and diesel in the country was premature owing to limitations of the existing retail network and up-country storages, improperly defined Euro-V specifications.

It said the IPI was also incorrect in pointing out inadequate product testing capacity, the absence of Euro-V compliant engines and the burden on lower middle income consumers.

The MEPD said it was not introducing any new main grade for diesel and petrol, rather it had simply altered the product specifications in relation to sulfur contents, which will now be conforming to Euro-V standards instead of Euro-II at present. Therefore, the notion of the limitations of existing retail network and storages was irrelevant and out of context, as no special arrangements at outlets and storages were needed.

It said the Euro-V specifications had been finalised in consultation with all stakeholders especially oil industry and it was incorrect to call them improper. The MEPD said the imported products were tested at discharge ports by the the Hydrocarbon Development Institute of Pakistan (HDIP), which had updated its infrastructure by investing million of rupees while the Pakistan State Oil (PSO) had also updated its testing infrastructure conforming to Euro-V standards. “Eventually, HDIP and its testing capacity are in sync with the requirements for shifting towards Euro-V fuels”.

Commenting over the absence of Euro-V compliant engines, the MEPD said that ultra-low levels of sulfur contents resulted in reduction of lubricity and conductivity, which increased wear and tear of older engines and damages fuel pumps. However, addition of appropriate additives allows older engines to operate efficiently. Accordingly, the two additives have been appropriately incorporated in the government-approved specifications.

This will ensure better performance by the vehicles of lesser standards. The relevant stakeholders in the automobile sector have also admired the government decision, the statement said.

It said the IPI’s main argument about burden on the local consumers was incorrect and misleading. In fact, in view of its recent tender results for Euro-V petrol, the PSO had received prices either equal to or even below than the current deliveries of Euro-II petrol prices. Moreover, PSO’s tender participation also improved due to introduction of better fuels in the country. “Accordingly, no huge financial impact on general consumer or any negative effect on balance of payment is expected”.

The IPI said the Petroleum Division now “admits to the fact highlighted in IPI’s report that the specifications notified are not true Euro-V specs but are prevailing Euro-II in which only the sulfur content has been reduced”.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1577837/entry-of-euro-v-fuels-will-be-smooth-insists-petroleum-division

 

[BouncerGuy]

Maryam is saying many things but will each and every one of them at least be on the ground as well or it is just a talk show?

https://twitter.com/x/status/1768142215803523504

 

[hassan918]

We have seen this plastic bags ban in the past as well but it didn't last very long. We do see a decline in the use of the plastic bags for a few days but after that everything gets back to normal. I hope this time government makes sure that this ban will stay effective for a very long time.